Why is it that we all fight against the very thing that is the best for us? When we are small, moms say, "Eat your vegetables." There are some kids that hear that directive and dive right in. But some of us kids fought against that maxim all our lives. Then one day we are told by the doctor that we need to live healthier and we "discover" vegetables. These horrible things that we've avoided for years are like a magic formula to us. Suddenly, we're preaching to all of our friends about the value of eating our vegetables. Why are we like that? Why do we listen only after years of rebellion costs us things like health, energy and years of productivity?

People react to the directive, 'Read your Bible,' like you are saying to them, 'Eat your vegetables.' Some take to it naturally and dive right in. They see immediately all the benefits of digesting God's Word. They are happier and healthier for it. While others, use every excuse they can think of to escape something that is designed by God to be not only beneficial for them, but pleasurable as well. They say they're too busy or that reading is boring to them or that they have tried but other things get in the way. The truth is they don't want to, either because it sounds like "eat your vegetables" and they rebel, or they honestly don't believe that there is anything on those pages for them.

Imagine if everyone understood the untold riches and lifesaving truths of God's Holy Word. If they knew that Book that was on the their shelf right now collecting dust, they would take it down and open it up. They would treat each page tenderly like it was a fragile leaf of pure gold.

Why Should You Read The Bible?

1. It Is God's Love Letter To You.

The number one excuse people use as to why they don't read their Bible is time. Yet they find the time to open every piece of important mail that come to their home or office, don't they? Most read the entire newspaper almost every day. How do they find the time?  They reason that if something in the mail looks official, it will have a bearing on their life, so that makes it important. These folks do not realize that the Bible is the most important piece of mail in their home. It is God's love letter to them! Do they think it is junk mail? Maybe they think it's one of those contests that they will never win anyway.

"How sweet are your words, sweeter than honey to my mouth." (Psalms 119:103)

"Your words were found, and I ate them, and your word was to me joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord of hosts." (Jeremiah 15:16)

"Your word is very pure; therefore your servant loves it." (Psalms 119:140)

2. It Will Help To Avoid Painful Mistakes.

The Word of God is alive. The Holy Spirit knows you are reading His words.  He makes the words become tailored to you as you read them. Like an undulating serpent, the Word constantly changes shape and wraps itself around the reader. The marvel of God is this: Thousands of years ago God knew what you would need right now, today, at this moment to keep you from making mistakes, to guide your path, and wrote it down for you! Another day when you read that same verse it will change (application not meaning) to become what you need for that day.  Each day, new and different for you, to see another shade of pain-sparing light.

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalms 119:105)

"For  the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction a way of life." (Proverbs 6:23)

"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19)

3. It Will Save Your Life And The Lives Of The People You Love.

Any piece of important mail that you open and read has some effect on you.  It will save you money or cost you money.  Or maybe it will change the way you do things.  It will cause you to make decisions or even change a life path.  But the Bible has a much more permanent effect on its reader.  It can help you decide where you spend an eternity when this life is over.  When you close your eyes to this life and breathe you last breath, a instant later your eyes will open again.  What you see, you will see forever.  Will you see Jesus, friends, a street of gold, the warmth and light of God? or will you see outer darkness, souls writhing in pain and biting each other?  Will you feel happy, loved, grateful, renewed? or will you feel anguished, trapped, torturous pain, incredible regret?  The Bible can show you.  That's a little more important than an electric bill, or a foreclosure on a home, isn't it?

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first but also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)

"He shall continually go forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalms 126:6)

This series will try to stir up a "want to," a curiosity to read the Scripture.  Unlike miners of old that panned for gold, you can reach into the stream flowing from God's Word and come up with a nugget every time!  No matter where you go in the Word it is what you need now.  We are going exploring, searching for treasure, seeking the Wisdom of the Age.  If you come with us, you will see how much God loves you, how awesome His Word is, and hopefully see how vital it is to read it.  We may reach into Genesis and explore a garden or into Revelation and sit at a banqueting table.  We may swing a sword with a hero or bask in the light of heavenly glory.

The Bible is and always will be, a treasure waiting to be discovered.  Come with us and stir up within an appreciation for God's gift to us.